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"We were the first on the scene and we just went about our business," Gale said. "Our focus is on doing what we can to save lives."

Gale said his thoughts were with the dead person's family and the injured man.

"It is extremely sad when someone loses their life and our thoughts are always with their family."

Central Otago mayor Tony Lepper said the Sarginson family were well-known in the aviation field.

"Unfortunately helicopter crashes are more common because helicopters are part of our lives," he said. "When we lose family members and people in our community because of them it is always devastating."